Walk Softly and Carry A Big Lens

[East Texan]

Carrying a 2-1/2 pound camera with a 3 pound lens attached can be murder on your neck while hiking, along with the flop flop every step you take.
Here is my solution. I used the lens case with the cover tucked inside as a holster. Remove the neck strap and attach a split ring. Attach the split ring to a strap attached to the shoulder strap of the pack. Viola!! Quick Draw McGraw. I'll let you know how it works out on my Bibe trip next week.

 







Don't forget to remove the lens cap.





The camera makes me look 20 pounds heavier.

[homerboy2u]

Smart man....

[East Texan]

Smart man....

The proof is in the pudding.  We'll see how it works next week.  Get ready for a ton of photos Homero

[MilesOfTexas]

Carrying a 2-1/2 pound camera with a 3 pound lens attached can be murder on your neck while hiking, along with the flop flop every step you take.

That's what you get for carrying that monster 70-200mm f/2.8L!!! 

Of course, who am I kidding ...  I am trying to rig a 5D Mark II with a 24-70L AND 50D with 70-200mm f/4L AT THE SAME TIME 

Your rig inspires me and I think will be very helpful in my endeavor to create what I need. 

[SA Bill]

Looks like it will work!
  Bill

[cjacob]

S.A. Bill I think was the one who got me hooked on this.  When I am carrying a backpack.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/53506-REG/Tamrac_N1101_N_11_Backpack_to_Camera.html

its also interchangeable with this one which I had been using for sometime now.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/112416-REG/Tamrac_N4501_N_45_Universal_Quick_Release.html

I just upgraded to this strap for everyday use. 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/661579-REG/Black_Rapid_RS_7.html

[sandersmr]

I tried the Tamrac straps on my daypack in Colorado and they worked great - except when it came to rest time, I had to be extra careful with the camera when removing the pack.

I did have an awchit with the Tamrac neck strap in Hawaii though.  The strap loop came loose from the camera on one side and my camera fell to the ground lens side down.  Fortunately the polarizer sacrificed itself for the good of the lens and body, but it took the lens cap with it.  The two were practically welded together.

[stingrey]

Another vote for the Tamrac backpack straps... I've never had mine come undone, and they have been through almost everything so far. Being said, I completely trust 'em and regardless, my gear is insured. If you don't already do it, CALL your insurance company and see just how cheap it is to insure your expensive camera gear! If you don't use your gear to make money, you NEED to call and at least find out how cheap this peace of mind is.

Anyway, the backpack straps work great, but I really like East Texan's solution here... I have the 100-400 as well and sometimes that is heavy if it is swinging back/forward too much. The holster style is not a bad setup! On the flip side, and fwiw, the Tamrac backpack straps work perfect to balance out your Camelbak or whatever backpack you are wearing and they totally eliminate neck discomfort/fatigue... So if you haven't upgraded your factory strap already and don't opt for the holster setup, definitely consider the Tamrac solution!

[iCe]

I heard there was a mamma and 3 bear cubs on the Windows trail last weekend so I hauled a 300mm f2.8L IS on a 1DMK4 and a 24mm T-S on a 1DsMK3 with me. The 300 was in a ThinkTank backpack. ThinkTank makes good stuff and I really like the backpack (I forget what their tricky name for it is).  If they would figure out how to put a Camelbak in the backpack without risking getting the gear wet I would like their backpack more. Carrying a bottle of water in one hand and keeping the other hand on the other camera made for a long hike.

I need to check out those straps.